The “A World Cup for whom?” campaign has been successfully launched: Following the presentation of the campaign, media of all stripes signaled their interest. The campaign is part of the civil resistance against the effects of the preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Sascha Tankerville, Media and Information
The campaign launched during the 23rd session of the UN Human Rights Council “Copa para quem?” (A World Cup for whom?) launched during the 23rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. Not only Brazilian media showed interest: While the Associated Press inquired about further campaign activities, BBC Brazil announced a report for this week and the French-speaking Swiss television station RTS said it was planning a broadcast on its Temps Presents program, several interviews and two radio reports were realized in Switzerland. The Radio RaBe program can be listened to on its website.
Building international pressure
The network of Brazilian civil rights committees ANCOP (the National Coalition of World Cup Civil Rights Committees) and the human rights organization CONECTAS achieved a notable success with this campaign launch. The aim of this international campaign is to emphasize civil resistance and thus increase the pressure on the Brazilian authorities.
Campaign videos impressed
At the campaign launch, the two organizations presented the video “Who wins this match?” as well as a video with the UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik. “The videos and photos had a strong impact,” reports ANCOP representative Larissa Araújo. She counted at least 30 participants during the event, including representatives of the Brazilian delegation to the UN Human Rights Council. “They had no answers to questions,” Araújo notes. “They just said that protecting human rights is a big challenge and that we are doing a great job. Unfortunately, we couldn’t reach a compromise with them. I think we just have to keep trying.”
Fundamental legal rights overridden
The campaign aims to draw global attention to the alarming side effects of the upcoming major sporting events, the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. In Brazil, basic legal rights are being systematically overridden and people are being driven out of their neighborhoods and favelas in an extremely ruthless manner, allegedly to make room for event buildings and infrastructure. terre des hommes schweiz is therefore supporting the Salvador Civil Rights Committee.
